Are tours of the wastewater facility available?

Yes, please contact the Wastewater Supervisor at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4168. The tours last approximately one hour with roughly 45 minutes of that time being spent outside. Therefore, spring, summer and fall are the best seasons to schedule a tour.

What happens to the waste that is treated from the water?

Waste water is 99.9% water and 0.1% solids. The solids are treated and de-watered at the City's waste water treatment plants. The resulting end product of this process is a bio-solid that is classified as a Class “B” sludge by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This class of sludge can be applied to sod farms and feed crop farms as fertilizer.

What may cause sewer gas odor in my house?

Sewer gas odors can come up through floor drains when the water in the drain trap has evaporated. This can occur at floor drains in areas that do not usually get water (basement floors, utility rooms, etc.) Residents can prevent this from occurring my pouring water into the traps on a regular basis (once per month is suggested).

Where does my responsibility for the sanitary sewer service line end?

The City of Crystal Lake ordinance regarding operation and maintenance responsibility of private sanitary service lines (laterals) states that the owner of the property is responsible for the building sewer line to the City of Crystal Lake main sewer line which is usually in the parkway or under the road. Refer to Ordinance § 515-13 C (1).

What should I do if my sewer service line is not draining or there is water/sewer coming back into my building?

Only common household water usage from showers, baths, dishwashers, cleaning dishes, laundry washing, toilets, etc can be discharged into the City of Crystal Lake sanitary sewer system. Cooking grease, oils, paints, gasoline, chemicals, feminine products, diapers, hand towels, washcloths, food scraps must be disposed of in another manner.

Who do I call before I dig?

If you plan on performing any type of digging, please call the J.U.L.I.E. call system at (800) 892-0123 or 811.

My sump pump runs frequently, causing a wet area in my lawn. Can I connect the sump pump to the storm sewer?

Direct connections to the storm sewer are not allowed. If there is a storm sewer located near the building, residents are allowed to surface drain into the storm sewer. See Ordinance § 187-2 (61).

How hard is the water in Crystal Lake?

There are five separate water treatment facilities, which can yield small differences in hardness. The water hardness can range from 4-8 grains of hardness.

My outside water shut off (B-Box) is sticking up, what should I do?

Call the Water Division at (815) 356-3614 to report the problem. We will come to adjust the B-Box down to grade. Freezing and thawing of the B-Box and the surrounding ground or the adjustment of the ground can cause the B-Box to elevate or stick up.

What can cause my hot water to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs?

The smell is a result of small levels of hydrogen sulfide, which are naturally present in our ground water, reacting to the anode rod located inside your water heater. While the smell can be very unpleasant, this does not affect the safety of the water. This can occur on occasion as the source water to your home may change seasonally based on overall demand. To remedy the problem a building owner can either flush the water heater or change out the anode rod to one of a different material. Please refer to your heater’s manual for proper instructions regarding these suggestions.

Is the valve next to the water meter my responsibility to repair?

Yes. All valves located inside the house are the responsibility of the homeowner. The City of Crystal Lake is only responsible for the water meter inside your home (excluding frozen meters).

If you need to make repairs that requires the water to your home to be shut off, please contact the Water Division at least 24 hours before you need the water shut off to schedule an appointment. The Water Division will shut off the water at the outside valve box (typically in the parkway). The Water Division can be reached at (815) 356-3614.

Why do I have low pressure at one sink, but it seems fine at others?

This is often caused by debris that gets caught in the sink’s aerator (the part that screws to the end of faucet, where the water comes out). The debris is usually pipe scale, hardness build-up or debris left from initial construction. To remedy this problem, try unscrewing the aerator and cleaning out the screens, these normally can be removed for a more thorough cleaning. New aerator assemblies are also available at any hardware store.

Why does the water first appear white in color, and then clears over time?

This is usually trapped air in the water and over time clears from the bottom up. Normally, this is a result of the sink’s aerator (which is installed to put air into the stream to prevent excessive splashing). To see if the aerator is the cause, fill a glass, it should clear up if this is the cause.

When is leaf pick up?

MDC Environmental Services, Inc. is responsible for the annual Leaf Pick-Up Program. The Leaf Pick-Up Program runs from the first Monday in October to the second Friday in December. MDC crews will collect bagged leaves placed at the curbside in front of all residents' homes along public streets. The bags must be placed on the parkway before 7:00 a.m. on the normal trash collection day. The Leaf Pick-Up Program is being offered at no additional fee.

Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags in order to be collected. Paper leaf bags are available at local grocery and hardware stores. Neither the City nor MDC provides leaf bags.

There is a 50 pound maximum per bag. Be aware that wet leaves will add to the weight of the bag. Leaves placed in other containers such as plastic bags, garbage cans or boxes, or in bags too large for one person to handle, cannot be accepted.

Questions regarding the Leaf Pick-Up Program can be directed to MDC at (815) 568-7274.

When is brush pick up?

The City of Crystal Street Department workers collect small tree limbs and brush from every street in the City during the month of May. Trucks only visit each street once during the program.

Residents are advised to place their brush on the parkway in front of the home no later than May 1 each year. Brush must be under 6 feet in length and under 6 inches in diameter. Grass clippings and other landscape waste will not be accepted.

Can residents blow leaves and/or grasses into the roadways?

Please do not intentionally rake or blow your leaves into the roadways. MDC crews will collect bagged leaves placed at the curbside in front of all residents' homes along public streets from the first Monday in October through the second Friday in December. The bags must be placed on the parkway before 7:00 a.m. on the normal trash collection day. Leaves must be placed in biodegradable paper bags. Leaves in non-paper bags may be taken to the Brush Drop-Off site, located at Wastewater Treatment Plant No. 2, at 1100 Coventry Lane on the first and third Saturdays of each month from April through November from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

What is the Brush Drop-Off Program?

The City of Crystal Lake operates a brush drop off facility on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month, from the beginning of April through November (weather permitting), during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The brush drop-off facility is located at Wastewater Treatment Plant #2, at 1100 Coventry Lane.

The City provides this service to residents only, and proof of residence such as a driver’s license or vehicle sticker is required. Brush accepted at the site must be under 6 feet in length and 6 inches in diameter.

The material collected at the drop-off site will be ground into mulch and placed in a pile at the brush drop off site. This mulch is available for residents, free of charge, on a first come, first served basis. You must load the mulch yourself.

Can I plant a bush or tree in my parkway?

No. The City of Crystal Lake owns and maintains any tree on any parkway within the City limits. The parkway is the area of grass that is located between a City sidewalk and the roadway. The City has two (2) certified arborists who are trained in various areas of agriculture. The City is very pro-active in stopping the spread of disease or infestation among its trees, such as Dutch Elm Disease or an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. No vegetation or other items are allowed on the parkway without the express written consent of the City.

The City has a bi-yearly tree planting program in which over 130 trees are planted. Upon request, a City arborist will survey the existing trees on your property to determine if any new or additional foliage can be approved. Such factors that are considered include the type of soil in the area, proximity to power lines, and how many of a certain type of tree currently exist in the area. For information regarding tree planning, please contact the Street Division at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019.

My parkway needs a tree trimmed or removed…

It is the City’s responsibility to trim all parkway trees. If a resident feels a parkway tree needs to be trimmed, please call the Street Division at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019. The City is also responsible for removing dead and/or diseased trees from the parkway area. If a resident feels that a parkway tree is in need of removal please call (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. Upon request, a city arborist will come out and look at the tree. Per the Tree Preservation Ordinance #5554, a tree cannot be removed unless it is deemed to be 75% dead.

The streetlight is out in front of my house, who should I contact?

If you notice a street light that has burned out or is not functioning, please call the Engineering Division at (815) 356-3615 with the following information:

Location of the pole, including street address

Type of material of the pole (wood, concrete, metal, etc.)

A description of how the light is acting (is it blinking, completely burnt out, etc.)

The length of time that the light has been malfunctioning (if known).

Most of the streetlights in the City are the responsibility of ComEd to maintain, particularly those in residential areas. For streetlights under ComEd’s maintenance, the City will contact ComEd to setup service for the street light and will track the status of the repairs. If the streetlight is the City’s responsibility to maintain, the City will make the necessary repairs.

Will you pick up a dead animal in the roadway?

Yes. The Street Division will pick up any deceased animals in the roadways as long as it is located on a City street. To report a deceased animal, please call (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. To report a deceased animal on a state road, such as Route 176, Route 31 and Route 14, please call the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) at (815) 338-4680.

Is there an ordinance regarding weeds?

Yes. If a resident has a question/complaint regarding weeds, please call the Building Division at (815) 356-3605.

How can I get a traffic control signal installed in my neighborhood?

A City of Crystal Lake snowplow damaged my mailbox, will you fix it?

Yes. Please call the Street Division as soon as it is discovered at (815) 356-3700 ext. 4019. If necessary, a temporary mailbox will be installed. Final repairs will be made as soon as possible.

Why do the City snowplows push the snow from the street into my driveway?

Fringe snow pushed back into driveways cannot be avoided, as all streets must be plowed from curb to curb to allow for proper drainage and access to mailboxes for mail delivery.

Who should I call if I have a question about my water bill?

Residents with questions about their water bills should contact the Finance Department at (815) 459-2020.

Who should I call to report a streetlight outage?

If you notice a street light that has burnt out or is not functioning, please call the Engineering Division at (815) 356-3615 with the following information:

Location of the pole, including street address

Type of material of the pole (wood, concrete, metal, etc.)

A description of how the light is acting (is it blinking, completely burnt out, etc.)

The length of time that the light has been malfunctioning (if known).

Most of the streetlights in the City are the responsibility of ComEd to maintain, particularly those in residential areas. For streetlights under ComEd’s maintenance, the City will contact ComEd to setup service for the street light and will track the status of the repairs. If the Street light is the City’s responsibility to maintain, the City will make the necessary repairs.

My parkway needs a tree trimmed or removed…

It is the City’s responsibility to trim all parkway trees. If a resident feels a parkway tree needs to be trimmed, please call the Street Division at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019. The City is also responsible for removing dead and/or diseased trees from the parkway area. If a resident feels that a parkway tree is in need of removal please call (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019. Upon request, a city arborist will come out and look at the tree. Per the Tree Preservation Ordinance #5554, a tree cannot be removed unless it is deemed to be 75% dead.

A City of Crystal Lake snowplow damaged my mailbox, will you fix it?

Yes. Please call the Street Division as soon as it is discovered at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019. If necessary, a temporary mailbox will be installed as soon as possible. Final repairs will be made in the spring, once the ground has thawed.

Can I plant a bush or tree in my parkway?

No. The City of Crystal Lake owns and maintains any tree on any parkway within the City limits. The parkway is the area of grass that is located between a City sidewalk and the roadway. The City has two (2) certified arborists who are trained in various areas of agriculture. The City is very pro-active in stopping the spread of disease or infestation among its trees, such as Dutch Elm Disease or an infestation of the Emerald Ash Borer. No vegetation or other items are allowed on the parkway without the express written consent of the City.

The City has a bi-yearly tree planting program in which over 130 trees are planted. Upon request, a City arborist will survey the existing trees on your property to determine if any new or additional foliage can be approved. Such factors that are considered include the type of soil in the area, proximity to power lines, and how many of a certain type of tree currently exist in the area. For information regarding tree planning, please contact the Street Division at (815) 459-2020 ext. 4019.

Who should I contact to report sidewalk damage?

Please call the Engineering Division at (815) 356-3615.

What is the process to have a road resurfaced?

Road resurfacing questions should be directed to the Engineering Department. For more information please click here.